Chicago Helicopter Experience - Daytime Tour

Shearwater is a classic Newport-style schooner yacht, only recently recognized as a national landmark in 2009.  The vessel was built by Rice Brother Corporation in East Boothbay, Maine, back in a time when yachting was a rare combination of elegance and adventure; Rice Bros. were well known for building luxury pleasure yachts and produced some 4,000 hulls over a period of 64 years. The keel was laid down on January 4, 1929 and a news clip from the Boothbay Register reflects alongside a photograph "Tyler Hodgon at the old Tide Mill is getting out timbers for the schooner to be built at Rice’s. Vessel to be built of native white oak." Traditionally built from hand-hewn native white oak, she was the last boat to be constructed at that yard - likely due to the ensuing Great Depression brought on by the Stock Market Crash that occurred later that autumn.  East Boothbay was a small coastal town with shipbuilding being its only industry. About 40 workmen were employed for the construction of SHEARWATER. Her designer Theodore Donald Wells was born in Hudson Falls, N Y on October 22, 1875. He was a naval architect and marine engineer, a member of the Society of Naval Architects and Marine Engineers and also the Institute of Naval Architects London. His education included post-graduate work at the University of Glasgow in Scotland. He began his career as a member of the firm Herreshoff and Wells, N. Y. City in 1902. Working with Herreshoff no doubt had an influence on his designs, which bear similarities to many of the famous Herreshoff designed yachts of that time. From 1903 to 1907 he worked for Wintringham and Wells and then began practicing his profession under his own name. Mr. Wells joined the Navy Department in March 1917 and became Superintending Constructor of the Baltimore District U. S. N. Notable yachts designed and constructed under his supervision are "Viking" a 272 foot steel motor yacht built for George F. Baker in 1929 by Newport News and "Karina" a three masted schooner built for Robert E. Tod in 1932 by Staten Island Shipbuilding. Mr. Tod was a well-known offshore yachtsman as was his former yacht ‘Thistle", which competed in the Emperors Cup ocean race. SHEARWATER was launched on May 4, 1929 and photographs in the Boothbay Register reflect her graceful and elegant lines. Her first Captain, Leon Esterbrook of Edgarton, MA, arrived to take charge of the fitting out. Her owner Charles E Dunlap was a member of the Seawanhaka Corinthian Yacht Club, Oyster Bay, NY and this became SHEARWATER’s first homeport after her completion in late September 1929. It was there in Oyster Bay that she first started to thrill those who sailed in luxury aboard her and those who were privileged to crew her on race day. Since her launching and documentation in Lloyd’s Register of American Yachts in 1929, she has had a colorful history and has been carefully maintained and restored to standards that few contemporary vessels are able to match and is truly a piece of American Maritime History. On November 7, 1942 SHEARWATER was requisitioned by the War Shipping Administration and became a member of The United States Coast Guard’s Coastal Picket Patrol during World War Two. She was painted gray and bore the numbers CG67004. Based at Little Creek, Virginia she patrolled the waters east of the Chesapeake Bay entrance and south towards Cape Hatteras. Her skipper during that period reflected on how they used their free time while out on submarine patrol to race against other yachts and in his own words "sailed in tandem with the schooner Lord Jim, racing in and out of port, up and down the east coast and winning." She was designed and built as a gaff rigged schooner but during this period was changed to a Marconi rig. She carries over 2,550 square feet while under full sail. A true veteran world cruiser, she first transited the Panama Canal in July 1946 and in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s completed a two and a half-year global circumnavigation. In December 1971 Mrs. John B. Thayer of Rosemont, wife of a former trustee and treasurer, donated SHEARWATER to the University of Pennsylvania’s Institute of Environmental Medicine. She was used by the university as a laboratory for research on physiological responses to the stresses of living and working underwater. Captained by James Shearson, she was fitted with compressors, generators, monitoring instruments and a small decompression chamber. She has participated in many Ancient Mariner and Classic yacht races in U S waters as well as racing in the Bay of Islands in New Zealand while on her circumnavigation in the early 1980’s. It is rumored she was once dismasted in the famous Newport to Bermuda race. She was last raced by the current owners in San Diego in May 1995 in the American Schooner Cup and finished second overall. She entered the yacht charter industry in 1966 whilst on the West Coast sailing to the Channel Islands and was again used to generate income to keep her shipshape while owned by the University of Pennsylvania. During the chartering industry’s infancy in the Caribbean, SHEARWATER was known as the " Queen of the Fleet". Today she continues this tradition offering the most unique sailing experience and has passed rigid Coast Guard inspections and can carry up to 49 passengers. We welcome you to join us for an excellent opportunity to experience the ambiance of a vintage sailing vessel while delighting in the splendors of The Manhattan sky-line, the Statue of Liberty or the beauty of the oceans beyond.

Efteling Theme Park Resort fills you with wonder Efteling is a unique theme park with a fairytale atmosphere, natural surroundings and a wide range of thrilling and enchanting attractions, making it ideal for the whole family.  Unforgettable family adventures Enjoy precious moments together. Step inside this fairytale world full of wondrous tales, delightful dreams and adventures at high speed. Glide through the enchanting world of fairies and trolls in dream flight ‘Droomvlucht’, huddle together during the exciting spectacular park show Raveleijn and enjoy the spectacular Aquanura water show. Children filled with wonder The little ones listen to the sounds of the fairytale forest and party together with Jokie in the Carnival Festival. They jump and dance along to the live entertainment and have endless fun on the children’s rides.  For genuine daredevils  Do you dare climb aboard a rollercoaster where you must escape a fire-breathing dragon at high speed? Do you have the courage to set sail on a raging sea and risk encountering the mysterious ghost ship ‘the flying Dutchman’? Or is a 90kph shoot into the deepest, darkest mineshaft more your thing? The latest Baron 1898 is ready for you. This is your chance, show us what you're made of, come and visit Efteling.  Attractions Drift away in the incredibly beautiful world of Dreamflight and enjoy the view from the Pagode. Laugh at grandpa’s dripping wet trousers on the Piraña and take a relaxing boat ride in the gorgeous natural landscape of the Gondoletta. Shows & Live Entertainment Your heart will beat faster during a wondrous encounter or a spellbinding park show. Would you like to meet and greet your favourite Inhabitants of the Fairytale Forest? Watch and listen... or sing and dance along! Don’t forget to visit the spectacular Raveleijn park show. Restaurants If your legs begin to get tired and your stomach starts grumbling, just follow your nose to one of the many catering outlets and restaurants throughout Efteling Park. There’s something delicious for everyone to eat or drink! Amsterdam Canal Boat The one hour cruise will show you a different side of Amsterdam. From the elegant merchants’ houses from the Golden age to the iconic views of Magere Brug "Skinny Bridge", the Anne Frank House Museum, Heritage Museum and the beautiful Westerkerk Church, prepare to be amazed with this new view of Amsterdam. You may make use of the Wi-Fi network at the piers Rijksmuseum and Leidseplein without cost. This has been made possible by ZapFi. All Canal Bus boats offer full toilet facilities on board.

Please note :  Depending on the season, this excursion could be partly operated by daylight Moulin Rouge :  Children are accepted from 6 years old The show starts at 23.00 pm and ends at 1.00 am Formal dress required. Gentlemen are required to wear tie and jacket.  Dinne cruise information : Boarding from : 18.15 Departure : 18.45 Return : 20.00 Individual table guaranteed Menu "Decouverte"* Starters Assortment: Mozarella and basil cream, parmesan crisps, small fresh tomatoes Duck foie gras with salt crystals, mango-pineapple compote Verrine of quinoa, yuzu flavoured butterfly shrimp  Crusty bread with black tapenade, fillet of red mullet, vegetable sprouts ** Main course at choice: Poultry leg, baby roast potatoes, mini new vegetables Steamed hake steak, artichoke cream and slow-cooked yellow carrots  Rump steak, pan-fried mixed vegetables, potato rosette (+7€) ** Desserts Assortment: Banana-salted butter caramel tart Vanilla custard and candied apricot Dark chocolate macaroon, crisp mikado Variety of strawberries, whipped cream and mini marshmallows ** Drinks: One glass of wine (16 cl) at choice :  Touraine AOC Sauvignon Luc Poulain (blanc) or Touraine AOC Domaine des Echardières (rosé) or Bordeaux AOC les Mercadières (rouge) OR A glass of soft (water or cola cola ou fruit juice).  Vegetarian Menu: Tomato gaspacho with basil and pine kernels, tender shoots in balsamic vinegar  ** Baby roast potatoes, pan-fried mixed vegetables, artichoke cream ** Seasonal tutti frutti, pear purée, dark chocolate biscuit Child Menu: Seasonal starter  ** Menu choice of main course ** Chocolate mud cake ** Orange juice; Coca-Cola or water * Example of menu, subject to modification

Sail within 100 feet of the Statue of Liberty for the best photo ops.  Stunning panoramic views of midtown and lower Manhattan.  Cruise under the Brooklyn, Manhattan, and Williamsburg bridges.  Insightful narration by Circle Line’s world famous guides Onboard café with a freshly prepared menu of sandwiches, salads and snacks + full bar serving up hot and cold beverages, beer, wine and cocktails Onboard amenities including outdoor deck space, heated/air conditioned indoor seating with large windows made for sightseeing, and restrooms.  CRUISE HIGHLIGHTS Statue of Liberty One World Trade Center Empire State Building Pier 54 (Titanic Pier) Batter Park Ellis Island Governors Island Wall Street South Street Seaport Brooklyn Bridge Manhattan Bridge Williamsburg Bridge Chrysler Building East Village United Nations USS Intrepid Pier RULES AND REGULATIONS  All School & Camp Groups MUST be accompanied by at least 1 adult chaperone (18 years of age or older) for every 10 students/children. Running is not permitted anywhere in the attraction. Food and beverage can be purchased on site. Outside food and beverages are strictly prohibited with the exception of special dietary needs. Security and First Aid may be obtained by contacting any staff personnel. Buses are not allowed to park and wait by the entrance once the group has been dropped off. (Please see bus parking information below.) Circle Line Sightseeing Cruises reserves the right to remove any individual or group that does not comply to these guidelines NEW CIRCLE LINE SKYLINE NAVIGATOR APP OFFERS OUR GUEST TOURS IN ENGLISH, SPANISH, FRENCH, GERMAN, ITALIAN, PORTUGUESE, AND MANDARIN CHINESE - IN ADDITION TO LIVE ENGLISH NARRATION.  Download the Circle Line Navigator App Before Your Cruise           

Round Trip transportation is included on this authentic Floridian adventure!  Hop aboard an airboat and travel deep into 100,000 acres of protected swamps, marshes and rivers that make up the Central Florida Everglades. On this 60 minute tour you will get an in depth look at the gators, birds, eagles, trees and plants that make up our beautiful wetlands. This is Natural Florida and Wild Florida at its best! We guarantee you won’t see any development, homes, or signs of human life. Come see how good it feels to be in the middle of nowhere.     By now you have worked up quite the appetite and you will be able to enjoy a freshly prepared BBQ lunch including pulled pork, chicken, cheeseburgers and much more.  After you have licked your fingers clean you will be able to take your adventure to the Wild Florida Wildlife Park where you will see over 100 different species of animals including both native and exotic animals.  On this self-guide tour you will see sloths, lemurs, porcupines, and we can’t forget… huge alligators that you can feed!  Enjoy an animal show and learn about these amazing animals and even get your picture taken holding an alligator.  This will be an adventure you will never forget!  Guests should bring camera and bug spray. DRESS CODE: Casual & cool. You may want to bring a poncho as sometimes you can get a little wet on the airboat.     

The Dungeon, a historical and theatrical attraction popular in Europe, opened their first ever North America attraction in San Francisco opening in the summer of 2014. The hysterically horrible engaging stories will take the visitor through 9 live actor led shows as they experience reenacted scenes from the colorful Gold Rush era to authentic tales about the Barbary Coast criminal gangs, Alcatraz, the Shanghai kelly boat ride and more. The ultimate live action expedition! Through a storytelling journey, vibrant sets, authentic costumes and detailed make-up, The San Francisco Dungeon sheds a whole new light on San Francisco’s rich and authentic history. San Francisco’s unique background makes it the perfect location for the launch of the first-ever North America Dungeons Attraction. Located in San Francisco’s historic Fisherman’s Wharf, this unique experience will highlight 200 years of San Francisco’s colorful past with dramatic and theatrical story storytelling. The San Francisco Dungeon will guide visitors through theatrical sets on a walk-through journey.  Escape Alcatraz is now included in all tickets.